Walker – The Kentucky Ranger

  LTC David Scott Walker, a native of Campbellsville, Kentucky, enlisted in the U.S. Army Field Artillery (FA) in 1987. After serving a 3 year enlistment with the Campbellsville National Guard’s 1/623rd, LTC Walker received his commission from the Western Kentucky University’s ROTC program. LTC Walker graduated with a Bachelor of Science and commissioned as […]

“The Grinch” – M249 Machinegunner

Respect is the first word that comes to my mind when I recall this soldier. Brother is the second. You can imagine my delight when I had to spend Christmas in Somalia with none other than “The Grinch” himself. If they were going to steal our Christmas, surely the Grinch would one-up them. He didn’t […]

Chico – Mountain Man

He calls me a “Big Country Bumpkin”, and we call each other “Brother”. Chico encompassed the best part of soldiering; getting the job done, whatever it is, and bitch about later if you feel so inclined. Our squad leader doesn’t recall Chico ever complaining in Somalia, he only recalls someone he could always count on […]

Rossman – Honoring The Creed

Rossman is a soldier’s soldier, a Ranger and the epitome of what each means. I don’t know Rossman personally, though our paths crossed on numerous occasions, the last of which was as we both PCS’d from Haiti in mid to late November, 1994. But after interviewing his soldiers, I can say I know what’s important […]

Arch – Best of the Best

“Arch” is the next hero I want to tell you about. Though I only knew him in passing, I have a special love for anyone who carries the M-60, especially a gunner of this caliber. As good as I was (or thought I was, whatever), next to no one can claim to be a better gunner […]

Poncho – Profile of a Hero

Poncho is my brother and he is my hero. That is the first description I always give when telling people about him. I know his squad mates call him the same, and always will. Hailing from Texas, Poncho and I first met as members of the same platoon in Basic Training. The first thing that […]

B.C. – “The Rooster”

Undertaking the task of collecting, researching, compiling, and composing a collective of war stories is never easy. Doing it almost 25 years after the fact makes the task about as challenging as it gets. So, why does he do it? Why does Bravo Charles (B.C.) choose to undertake such a monumental task? The answer lies […]

Brawny – The Ronin

A Ronin is a Samurai who has no master, making Brawny a master of Ronin in his own right. Few men that walk this earth possess all of the numerous traits that comprise a warrior like Brawny. Brawny arrived at our unit in a cohort just in front of mine, along with his roommate Hughes. Part […]

J’Dub – The Mustang

A Mustang Officer is an officer who first enlists in the military before earning a commission. In my experience, they are among the best officers you could ever hope for. J’Dub is the epitome of that statement. No finer human being exists when hot lead goes down range, nor could anyone ask for a more complete […]